Peter Grant MP has welcomed this week’s announcement that Emma Harper MSP, the Parliamentary Liaison Officer to the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy, Fergus Ewing, will bring forward a consultation on a Members’ Bill to tackle livestock worrying.

The consultation will look to consolidate the various forms of legislation which relate to livestock worrying, to make it more understandable to dog owners, and to allow for the establishment of consequences for breaches of the proposed legislation.

Mr Grant has been vocal on the issue of livestock worrying, after a rise in the number of sheep being attacked by dogs in his Glenrothes and Central Fife constituency and across the nation in recent months.

He said: “I welcome the news that Emma Harper MSP has brought forward a consultation to strengthen legislation in the area of livestock worrying.

“Last month I publicly supported The Scottish Farmer magazine’s ‘Take a Lead’ campaign to encourage responsible dog ownership when walking near livestock and for the Scottish Parliament to look at ways to improve legislation in this area.

“Farmers in my constituency and across Scotland will be pleased to learn that steps are now being taken to address livestock worrying, which bears a significant financial cost to the farmer and is also a very serious animal welfare issue.

“I congratulate Emma Harper on bringing forward this consultation and for her work in highlighting this important issue.”

ENDS

Notes;

Emma Harper MSP press release: https://twitter.com/EmmaSNPHarper/status/996828660391907329

Sheep worrying reports in Glenrothes and Central Fife this year: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-43344931

Peter Grant MP supports ‘Take a Lead’ campaign: https://www.petergrant.scot/single-post/2018/05/15/PETER-GRANT-BACKS-TAKEALEAD-CAMPAIGN

Peter Grant's office and The Scottish Farmer's collaborative video highlights the effects of sheep worrying to farmers: https://www.facebook.com/PeterGrantSNP/videos/872713802920985/

Contact Ross Cunningham on 07887 534126 or email ross.cunningham@parliament.uk if more information is required.

(Peter is pictured alongside Claire Taylor from The Scottish Farmer promoting the magazine's '#TakeALead' campaign.)